Years ago, during an interview, the writer Joan Didion was apparently chided by a reporter for using her good silver at the table every day. She famously replied, “Every day is all there is.” That response has long been a mantra for me, and Didion’s straightforward words of wisdom were definitely top of mind when my edit team set out in search of the best products for this issue’s special 16-page Great Design section.
Yankees star Alex Rodriguez with the AD crew on our cover-story shoot; from left are Carlos Mota, Rodriguez, Eloise Jones, Isabel Parra, and Björn Wallander.
Our finds range from a sleek modernist desk seductively clad in luxe leather to a cozy club chair swathed in a cheerful cabbage-rose chintz. Some are classics given a fresh twist—such as Knoll’s 18K-gold-plated edition of Harry Bertoia’s iconic Diamond chair—while others, like the edgy perforated walnut cabinet by Kelly Wearstler for E. J. Victor, are new discoveries. Each and every piece was selected to add a dash of enduring style to your home, indoors and out.
An array of products for our Great Design shoot at the Condé Nast studio.
Of course, our focus on top-notch design includes extraordinary houses as well. One of my favorites is this month’s cover story: the bold, breezy getaway that New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez created for himself and his young daughters in Miami. Featuring deeply chic interiors grounded by an impressive art collection, the striking residence is also environmentally mindful, with a glorious green lawn that’s entirely artificial—the synthetic grass reduces water consumption—and a chemical-free saltwater pool. A-Rod’s home is a perfect example of great design that’s also smart—exactly the kind we should all strive to live with every day.
Photographer François Dischinger aims high at the East Hampton home of Pilar Guzmán and Chris Mitchell.
—MARGARET RUSSELL, Editor in Chief editor@archdigesom Instagram: @margaretrussell
